Space Claim by Australian Scientist

[Dave Homewood]

In the episode of the BBC programme The Infinite Monkey Cage called "The Deep Space Network", astrophysicist Alan Duffy states at 37.25 minutes into the show that Australia's upcoming national space missions" will be, "the third nation to build and launch our own spacecraft from our own territory, following the US and the Soviet Union."

Is that accurate?

Rocket Lab has built and launched its own rockets in New Zealand, their first rocket launch being in 2009. Components are built in the USA, yes, but to NZ designs and by part of the same company. 

While these days it is a US listed company for business purposes, it was created by New Zealanders Peter beck and Mark Rocket, and started out as a New Zealand registered company from 2006 till 2012, and was funded largely by the New Zealand Government and New Zealander millionaires Sir Michael Fay and Sir Stephen Tindall.

It was initially also staffed considerably by RNZAF personnel on loan and many other Kiwis are now part of the company.

It is still based here in New Zealand too for both manufacturing rockets and launching, while it has expanded into the USA to duplicate these processes there.

I have noticed that the space community regularly seems to overlook the awesome achievements of Rocket Lab, (plus other NZ based space firms like Dawn Aerospace, Kea Aerospace, etc).

Has this chap Duffy a legitimate reason to think Rocket Lab does not qualify for his criteria? I am sure any Australian project - which still has not happened - will also have components made for their rockets from outside of Aussie, and quite possibly outside investment too.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dcngpx

[johnnyfalcon]

How about China and India?

[Dave Homewood]

I wondered about them too, but was wondering if they use Russian rockets?

[oj]

And France?
Must have been a very old episode Dave?

[Dave Homewood]

Released about two or three weeks ago.

[mcmaster]

Believe he was referring to the launch of WRESAT in 1967 by Australia and the new agency getting us back in the game.

‘It’s 50 years since the launch of WRESAT, the first satellite constructed and launched by Australia – making us only the third nation after the USA and USSR to do so at the time. A national space agency is our chance to rejoin our place in space.”

www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2017/09/alan-duffy-welcomes-announcement-of-new-national-space-agency/

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks McMaster, that fills in the gap with the pertinent point that he missed out completely in the Infinite Monkey Cage show. It makes sense now.